Gilchrist to quit after series

Everybody thought he was joking when Adam Gilchrist, immediately after achieving a world record of maximum dismissals yesterday...

Everybody thought he was joking when Adam Gilchrist, immediately after achieving a world record of maximum dismissals yesterday, hinted at retirement. That sense of sarcasm was understandable from a man castigated throughout his career for every catch he dropped. He had always said that the decision to retire or not will be only his. And he kept his word.

It came when it was least expected—though on hindsight it gives great credibility to leave on a high note. He may not get to keep the record for long, before Mark Boucher reclaims it. But Gilchrist has always been more of a character than just statistics may suggest. He is remembered more for the famous walk, and batting with a squash ball inside his glove in an all-important World Cup final and smashing a hundred.

The 36-year old, after discussing with his family, broke the news to his team today morning. Finally, by evening, it was official that Gilchrist was retiring from Test cricket after this match and also from One-Day Internationals at the conclusion of the forthcoming tri-series involving India and Sri Lanka.

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“It is with great pride and happiness that I take the decision to retire from Tests and ODI. I’ve come to this decision after much thought and discussion with those most important to me. My family and I have been fortunate to have had an amazing journey full of rich experiences throughout my career and are sincerely grateful to all who have helped make this stage of our lives so fulfilling. I am now ready and excited to move into the next phase of my life which will, of paramount importance include much more time with Mel, Harrison, Annie and Archie,” he said.

India’s association with Gilchrist are many — the famous 2004 series where he led Australia to a 2-1 victory, his famous telephone calls to all Indian record-breakers—the latest being Anil Kumble, and adopting Mangesh Rathod, a Mumbai slum boy, under an Australian NGO, Worldvision’s, project to eradicate poverty in the sub-continent.

Mathew Hayden said: “It’s massive news. From my point of view I feel incredibly privileged to have played with Adam. He’s been a remarkable Australian. He has held the baggy green in his hand with great pride, great discipline and great work ethic.”

• Gilchrist has scored over 5000 Test runs including 17 centuries and 26 fifties and that includes the second fastest ever Test century in history against England in December 2006 in Perth. He reached his hundred in 57 balls, one more than Vivian Richards. In the same innings he broke the record for the most runs in a six-ball Ashes over, plundering 24 from Monty Panesar

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• Gilchrist has scored 17 Test centuries — more than any other wicket-keeper batsman — and has scored hundreds against all nine Test opponents

• His 5556 (prior to this Test match) runs had come at an average of 47.89.

• He has also hit more sixes than any other batsman in Test history, recording his hundredth six during the recent Test against Sri Lanka in Hobart in late 2007

• Gilchrist claimed 10 dismissals in a Test against New Zealand at Hamilton in 2000, the first Australian to do so and the third wicketkeeper from any country in a single Test

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• He has captained Australia in six Test matches, including leading them to a historic series victory in India in 2004.

• In 96 Test matches Gilchrist has taken 414 dismissals at an incredible 2.178 dismissals per innings

• Gilchrist passed 50 in every World Cup final he played

• In April 2007, he lit up Kensington Oval in Barbados with 149 from 104 balls in the World Cup final against Sri Lanka

• He has scored 9297 ODI runs at an average of 36.03, including 15 tons and 53 fifties

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• He also holds the ODI dismissal record with 454 dismissals in his 277 ODI’s (401 caught, 53 stumped).

(ENS)